Man sentenced after carrying out illegal tooth-whitening procedures

A man has been hauled through the courts after setting up an illegal tooth whitening business.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Mar 2016, 15:49 BST
Updated 2nd Apr 2016, 08:29 BST
A dentist carrying out the procedure correctly.A dentist carrying out the procedure correctly.
A dentist carrying out the procedure correctly.

John Atkinson pleaded guilty to charges brought by the General Dental Council (GDC) after the organisation received a number of complaints about him carrying out procedures illegally.

At a case heard at Teeside Magistrates' Court, Atkinson was sentenced to a 12 month conditional discharge, ordered to pay £15 victim surcharge as well as GDC's costs of £750.

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Francesca Keen, head of illegal practice at the General Dental Council, said: "As an unregistered individual Mr Atkinson, has neither the skill nor training to carry out tooth whitening safely. In this instance, it is fortunate that no-one suffered any harm as a result of his actions.

"By his refusal to comply with the law and masquerading as a dentist, he was placing the public at risk of harm which left us with little choice but to prosecute.

"I would always advise patients to consult their dentist and check the GDC's register before they agree to any tooth whitening treatment. Not doing so places patients in harm's way."

Patients can check if their dental professional is registered with the GDC on its website www.gdc-uk.org

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